How Long Does a Model Photoshoot Take? Real Timelines, Schedules, and Pro Tips (2025)

• Quick answer: 30-90 minutes for digitals/test; 2-4 hours for basic portraits; 4-8 hours for e‑commerce/lookbooks; 6-10 hours for editorial; big campaigns often 1-2 days.
• Hair/makeup: 45-90 minutes to start, then 10-20 minutes per change. Add 15-30 minutes per lighting setup or location move.
• Rule of time: 60% shooting, 30% setup/changes, 10% breaks. Add a 20-30% buffer so you don’t run late.
• Studio shoots usually run 15-30% faster than location because everything’s controlled.
• Dubai tip: heat and permits can slow outdoor shoots; plan early mornings, shade, and extra hydration breaks.

Quick Answer, Scenarios, and Time Formulas

Most “two-hour” shoots secretly need four. Why? It’s not just pressing the shutter. It’s glam, lighting, wardrobe, approvals, and little delays-like the stylist’s steamer tripping a breaker or, in my case recently, my cat Nimbus sprawling across the neatly labeled accessories. The real question isn’t only “how long,” but “what’s in that time?”

Here’s the straight, people-first answer you can plan around today. A simple model test (digitals, comp card refresh) takes 30-90 minutes. A clean portrait or lifestyle session runs 2-4 hours. Lookbooks and e‑commerce land at 4-8 hours, depending on outfit count. Editorial or campaign shoots, with more creative lighting and approvals, often need 6-10 hours-or a full 1-2 days for big productions.

If you’re scanning for one line you can trust, this is it: budget a half day (4 hours) for simple creative work, a full day (8-10 hours) for anything with multiple looks, locations, or a client on set. That “full day” aligns with common industry norms-the kind of 8-10 hour shoot day many pro associations consider standard-plus a proper lunch break so nobody crashes at hour seven.

Key factors that change the clock:

• Number of looks: more outfits = more styling, more adjustments, more selects.
• Hair/makeup complexity: glam takes time; skin-first beauty is faster than full contour + hair restyle.
• Lighting setups: one simple key light runs fast; sculpted sets or gels need extra shaping and tests.
• Location moves: each move costs cases, cables, and chaos. Even a short walk eats 15-30 minutes.
• Client approvals: on-set reviews, brand feedback loops, and remote sign-offs add waiting time.
• Wardrobe prep: steaming, pinning, and last-minute tailoring always take longer than you think.
• Model experience: pros nail flow; beginners may need more coaching and breaks.
• Season/weather: in Dubai, heat dictates pace outdoors; plan earlier call times and shade.

Use this simple time split when estimating: 60% actual shooting, 30% setups/changes, 10% breaks. Then add a 20-30% buffer. You’ll thank yourself later when the reflector snaps a clamp or the client asks for one more look “just in case.”

Quick estimator you can adapt:

• Initial HMU: 45-90 minutes (aim for 60-75 for most looks)
• Per look: 10-20 minutes HMU tweak + 10 minutes wardrobe + 15-20 minutes shooting
• Lighting reset (studio): 10-20 minutes per new setup
• Location move: 15-30 minutes (longer if parking/elevators/permits)
• Reviews/approvals: 5-10 minutes per look; longer if multiple stakeholders
• Breaks: 10 minutes per 90 minutes + 30-45 minutes lunch on full days
• Buffer: +20-30% of your subtotal

Example: 5 looks in studio, one lighting change mid‑way

• HMU 60 minutes
• Looks: 5 × (10 HMU + 10 wardrobe + 18 shoot) ≈ 190 minutes
• Lighting reset: 15 minutes
• Approvals: 5 × 6 minutes ≈ 30 minutes
• Breaks: ~25 minutes
• Subtotal ≈ 5 hours; add 25% buffer ≈ 6.25 hours → book a full day

Typical timelines by shoot type:

• Digitals/Polaroids: 30-60 minutes (no glam, simple natural light)
• Model test/TFP: 1.5-3 hours (1-2 looks, light glam)
• Headshots/Comp card refresh: 2-4 hours
• E‑commerce (10-25 looks): 4-8 hours; larger catalogs span multiple days
• Lookbook (styled, creative lighting): 6-9 hours
• Editorial/Beauty: 6-10 hours (precision lighting and micro-adjustments)
• Campaign: 1-2 days (team + approvals + multiple setups)

If you’re deciding between studio and location, studios usually run 15-30% faster thanks to controlled light, power, and fewer surprises. Location days feel rewarding, but time slips into travel, permits, sun angles, and wind fighting your hair spray.

Snapshot it in one glance:

You’ll understand model photoshoot duration better when you treat these numbers as a planning baseline, not shackles. Creative work flexes.

Plan a Photoshoot Timeline: Step-by-Step, Checklists, and Schedules

Think of your shoot as three chapters: prep, production, and wrap. Time is won or lost before you touch the camera.

Step-by-step, the most time-saving sequence looks like this:

1. Define the goal (mood, usage, deliverables). One sentence forces clarity.
2. Shot list and looks list. Count looks-this is your time driver.
3. Choose studio vs location. If you’re in Dubai, studios in Al Quoz or d3 save you from midday heat and permit delays.
4. Book your team early: photographer, model(s), HMUA, stylist, assistant, digi tech. Confirm call times on one call sheet.
5. Pre-light or at least pre-plan lighting. Sketch setups, list modifiers, note power outlets.
6. Wardrobe prep: steam, pin kits, backups. Put jewelry and small pieces in labeled bags (not on your kitchen table where a certain fluffy friend may nap on them).
7. Tech workflow: tethering, file structure, backup plan. A 5-minute test the day before can save 30 minutes on set.
8. Timeline: blocks for HMU, looks, breaks, and approvals. Add your 20-30% buffer now, not later.
9. Catering and water. Better snacks = fewer droops at hour six.
10. Permits/logistics if on location: parking, load‑in, shade, generator, restrooms.

Half-day studio schedule example (3 looks, portrait + fashion):

• 09:00 - Call time, load-in, HMU starts
• 10:00 - Look 1 (test frames, lock lighting)
• 10:45 - Quick HMU tweak, wardrobe change
• 11:00 - Look 2
• 11:45 - Reset lighting for Look 3
• 12:00 - Look 3
• 12:30 - Selects/approvals, wrap
• 13:00 - Hard out

Full-day e‑commerce flow (20 looks):

• 08:00 - Call, glam starts
• 09:00 - Lighting test with stand-in
• 09:15 - Look 1-5
• 10:30 - Short break + tether check
• 10:45 - Look 6-10
• 12:00 - Lunch (30-45 min)
• 12:45 - Look 11-15
• 14:15 - Wardrobe adjustment + quick glam fix
• 14:30 - Look 16-20
• 16:00 - Safety shots + wrap by 16:30

Editorial on location (Dubai sunrise):

• 04:30 - Crew call at location, pre-light, sandbags ready
• 05:30 - HMU finishing, first light test
• 05:50 - Shoot Look 1 (golden hour)
• 06:30 - HMU tweak + move to spot B
• 06:50 - Look 2
• 07:30 - Shade + hydrate break
• 07:50 - Look 3 (backlight), then wrap as heat rises
• 08:45 - Load-out before traffic and sun punish you

Checklists that actually save time:

• Team: call sheet, roles, WhatsApp group for fast comms
• Camera: batteries charged, cards formatted, backup body
• Lighting: backup bulbs, extra gaffer tape, sandbags
• Wardrobe: complete looks, clips, lint roller, nude undergarments
• HMU: oil blotting sheets, setting spray, hair ties, mini fan (Dubai is humid in summer)
• Comfort: water, snacks, stools, portable speaker (music speeds up sets)
• Legal/logistics: permits, model release, usage terms, insurance
• Tech: tether cables, backup cable, hub, calibrated display

Pitfalls that stretch timelines (and how to dodge them):

• Underestimating HMU: book 60-75 minutes for the first look, minimum.
• Too many creative detours: lock your shot list; experiments come after you have the must‑haves.
• Missing sizes/fit: pre-fit or request accurate measurements; pin kits are not magic.
• No shade/power on location: bring pop-up shade, battery packs, and ask about power well before shoot day.
• Approval bottlenecks: agree on who signs off; one decision-maker only.
• Backing up late: copy cards at lunch; dual cards if your camera supports it.

Rule-of-thumb decision: half day vs full day

• Half day (4 hours): 1-3 looks, one setup, studio, no client reviews
• Full day (8-10 hours): 4-12 looks, multiple setups/locations, client approvals, or video add‑ons
• Multi-day: 12+ looks, complex lighting or talent schedules, or combined stills + motion

Studio vs location in Dubai-what’s faster?

Local pro tip: if you’re outdoors here, aim for sunrise or late afternoon. Midday is for air‑conditioned edits, not for fried teams and melting mascara.

Examples, Costs, FAQs, and Next Steps

Let’s make this practical with real-world examples and answers to the questions you’re probably about to ask.

Example 1 - New model test: You want fresh portfolio shots, two outfits, studio. Book a 3‑hour block. Glam 60 minutes, first look 45, second look 45, 15 minutes for resets, 15-30 for selects and wrap. Bring a simple black tank and jeans, plus one styled outfit. You’ll walk out with safe shots and a couple of creative frames.

Example 2 - Brand lookbook: Six styled looks, client on set. Book a full day. Expect 60-90 minutes glam, 6 × (10 HMU tweak + 10 wardrobe + 15 shooting), one full lighting reset mid‑day, lunch, and feedback loops. Time goes into polish and sign‑offs. Save a last 30 minutes for detail shots the client forgot to mention but will want later.

Example 3 - E‑com fast lane: Twenty looks, white background, consistent light, no client. Book 7-8 hours. Speed is king: 6-10 minutes per look is realistic with an experienced team. Label racks; pre-pin outfits; decide poses that showcase fit, then repeat them like choreography.

Example 4 - Editorial beauty: Three looks, complex light. Book 8-9 hours. Most time goes to perfect skin, micro hair changes, and tiny lighting tweaks. You might shoot fewer frames, but each one needs to sing.

Time vs money tradeoffs (briefly): a longer, calmer day often costs more in rentals and team fees but saves you reshoots. A rushed half day saves on studio time but risks missed shots and overtime. Ask your team upfront about half‑day vs full‑day rates and what triggers overtime. In many markets, overtime kicks in after 8-10 hours; confirm yours during booking.

FAQ

• How long does hair and makeup really take? Plan 60-75 minutes to start. Beauty/editorial can push to 90. Minor changes later are 10-20 minutes.
• How many outfits per hour? In e‑commerce, 5-8 simple looks/hour with a tuned workflow. Styled or creative shoots: 2-3 looks/hour is more realistic.
• Do I need a lunch break? Yes. Schedule 30-45 minutes on full days. People crash without it, and time is wasted re‑energizing later.
• Indoor vs outdoor time difference? Studios run faster. Outdoors, add time for sun direction, wind, and logistics. In hot climates, break more often.
• Do client approvals slow things? A little. Add 5-10 minutes per look for reviews and plan a clear sign‑off process to avoid back-and-forth.
• How much buffer time should I add? 20-30% of your total. If something slips, you’re safe. If not, you finish early-nobody complains about that.
• Does adding video change timing? Yes-double‑duty teams slow down. If you’re shooting reels/BTS, either add 30-60 minutes or bring a separate content person.
• What about Ramadan or public holidays in Dubai? Expect shorter daytime windows and earlier wrap. Be respectful with call times and breaks for your team.

Quick cheat-sheet you can screenshot:

• Half day = 4 hours = 1-3 looks (studio), minimal resets
• Full day = 8-10 hours = 4-12 looks, approvals, multiple setups
• HMU = 60-75 minutes to start, 10-20 per change
• Add 15-30 minutes per lighting change or location move
• Buffer = +25% of your plan

Next steps depending on who you are:

• Model (new or signed): Ask for a shot list, looks count, and HMU plan. Bring a base kit: clean heels, nude underwear, simple jewelry, and moisturizer. Hydrate the day before.
• Photographer: Pre-light on paper, label stands and cables, prep a tether test. Set a hard “final frame” time and stick to it.
• Brand/Producer: Decide the single approval owner. Put delivery specs (crop, color, retouch scope) in the call sheet. Lock catering and a proper lunch window.
• HMUA/Stylist: Align on the first look and the “hero” look. Pre‑pull reference images on your phone for rapid approvals.

Troubleshooting common time crunches:

• Running late before look 1: Move first look to the simplest setup. Catch up without panic.
• Wardrobe malfunction: Switch to the backup look while the stylist fixes the issue.
• Client wants extra shots: Capture quick “safety” frames in the same setup now; schedule a dedicated reshoot if they want a different lighting concept.
• Heat fatigue outdoors: Call a 10‑minute cool-down. It’s faster than pushing through and losing 30 minutes to sloppy frames.
• Tech hiccups: Shoot to card while the tether is fixed; don’t stall your whole team.

If you only remember one planning tip, make it this: set a realistic timeline, then add a buffer. Creative work needs space to breathe. That space is where the magic happens-and where you protect everyone’s energy, from the photographer to the model to the HMU artist wielding a curling wand like a lightsaber.

Ready to plan your day? Pick your shoot type, count looks, apply the formula, and book a half day or full day accordingly. Save this page as your quick reference. And if a certain fluffy assistant named Nimbus wanders into your set, give them a minute-they’re excellent morale officers before the final frame.